FAQ - Gradekeeper for iPad
These Frequently Asked Questions are intended to help you get started with using Gradekeeper for iPad. For a more complete introduction, you can download the User's Guide.
How can I link to my Dropbox?
In Gradekeeper for iPad, tap the Dropbox icon on the upper right in the classes view. You will be asked to enter your Dropbox email address and password to allow Gradekeeper to access its folder in your Dropbox.
Once you have linked to your Dropbox, the classes view will show the classes in the Gradekeeper folder in the Apps folder in your Dropbox. Save your classes to that folder, and you will be able to open them from Gradekeeper for iPad. Note that you cannot open Gradekeeper classes from the Dropbox app. You must open them from Gradekeeper.
Why is one of my Dropbox classes a conflicted copy?
Gradekeeper cannot merge changes made to the same class from different places at the same time. If you open the same class from different places and save it, Dropbox will notice and make a "conflicted copy" of the class. You will need to open both copies and decide which one you want to keep, or manually merge difference changes.
If you did not have the class open on another device, your iPad may be having problems with its wifi connection. Try restarting the iPad by holding down the sleep and home buttons until you see the shut down switch. Allow the iPad to complete the shut down process. Then start it up again by holding the sleep button.
Why don't my classes appear in the file list in Gradekeeper for iPad?
Gradekeeper for iPad will only list files using the .grk file extension. The desktop version of Gradekeeper adds that extension automatically. Gradekeeper for iPad can only open classes saved with the current version of Gradekeeper. If you already paid for the desktop application, you can download and install the current version at no additional cost. Just download and save. The desktop version of Gradekeeper can open files saved by older versions, so you will not need to start over.
How can I delete a class?
In Gradekeeper for iPad, from the Files view, press and hold on the row for the class you want to delete. Confirm that you really do want to delete this class. Please be careful! You cannot undo deleting a class!
How can I recover a deleted class?
If the class was saved in your Dropbox, you can restore it. Using a web browser, visit Dropbox and sign in. Open the Apps folder and then the Gradekeeper folder. Click the three dots above the file list next to the upload button. Find the deleted file in the list and click the three dots to the right of the file name. Choose Restore from the menu that appears.
How do I save my changes?
There is no save command in Gradekeeper for iPad. The app will save your changes whenever the app is suspended (when you push the home button). The app will also save your changes any time you return to the classes view.
How do I create a new class?
You can create a new class by tapping the + button in the classes view. The new class window will appear. Enter a filename, subject name, school name, and teacher name for the new class. Then tap the Done button. You will then see the students view, where you can add students to your new class.
You can also create a new class by importing a list of students from a text or csv file. To import students, upload it to your Dropbox. Put the file in the Gradekeeper folder inside the Apps folder. It will appear in the file list. Tap the file to create a new class with those students.
Each line of the text file should have an ID (which can be blank) and a student name, separated by a tab. For example:
1234 <tab> Albright, Amy
Each line of the csv file should have an optional ID and a student name in quotes. For example:
"1234","Albright, Amy"
Note that the student name is a single item. Do not separate the first and last name with a tab.
How can I create several classes with the same students?
There are several ways to do this.
In Gradekeeper for iPad, you can copy the current open class. Tap the Options tab on the bottom, then tap the Subject tab at the top. Tap the copy button in the subject view. You will be asked for a new filename for the copy of this class. The currently open class will be saved and a new class will be created that is a copy of the that class.
You can also use the text import feature to make classes with the same students. Create a text file with a list of your students. Upload that text file to your Dropbox. Open the text file from the classes view. This creates a new class with those students. Repeat this process for each additional class you want.
Can I use a third party keyboard with the iPad app?
Yes. Apps have no way of knowing whether you are using the default iOS keyboard or a third party keyboard. They just get the text you type. So any third party keyboard should work with any app, including Gradekeeper for iPad.
If you are using a third party keyboard, and it is not behaving properly, the problem is almost certainly with the keyboard, not with the app you are using. Contact the developer of the third party keyboard.
I am using a bluetooth keyboard with my iPad and the toolbar hides the tab bar to choose the view.
The toolbar showing the Next and Prev buttons usually appears at the top of the on screen keyboard. In iOS 9 there is also a toolbar with cut and paste. If you use a bluetooth keyboard, the on screen keyboard will be hidden, but these toolbars will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
When you hit the return key on the bluetooth keyboard, this should accept your editing and hide the toolbars. If this does not happen, try tapping one of the buttons in the header, like the assignment name button. You may need to tap a score to show the keyboard.
If nothing else works, try tapping the eject button on the bluetooth keyboard. This should show the on screen keyboard, allowing you to tap the Done button to end editing and hide the keyboard.
Do I have to buy the desktop application to use the iPad application?
No. You can create and edit classes with just the iPad app. The desktop application does make some things easier, and there are a few things you can do with the desktop application that you cannot do with the iPad app, like print and email reports for an entire class. Future updates to the iPad app may add some of those features as I receive feedback from users.
How can I email a student progress report?
In the students view, tap the share button on the upper left. Choose email progress report from the popover. The email window will appear, with the email addresses for that student. You can add additional email addresses. You can edit the report, including adding additional comments. Tap Send to send the email report.
You can only email progress reports for one student at a time.
How can I print a student progress report?
In the students view, tap the share button on the upper left. Choose print progress report from the popover. The Airprint popover will appear. Choose an Airprint printer. Choose the number of copies to print. And tap print.
You can only print progress reports for one student at at time.
How can I see other students, assignments, or dates?
In the students or assignments view, tap the name at the top to see a list of students or assignments. You can choose the student or assignment you want. You can also swipe left or right to see the next or previous student or assignment.
In the attendance view, tap the date to choose another date. You can also swipe left or right to see the next or previous date. Only the days of the week that class is in session are displayed.
How can I edit students or assignments?
Tap the pencil button on the upper left to edit the current student or assignment. The editing window will appear. Tap the Done button when you're done.
You can add a new student or assignment by tapping the + button on the upper left. The new student or new assignment window will appear. When adding a new student, you can tap the Next button to save the current student and add another new student.
How can I edit a score?
Tap the row for the score you want to edit. The score will be outlined. You can type in a new score. You can fill down that score to all following scores by tapping the Fill Down button on the keyboard toolbar. You can add a footnote to the score by tapping the blank space to the right of the score.
How can I take attendance?
Tap the row for a student and choose an attendance code.
If you need to change attendance for an earlier date, tap the date at the top and choose a new date.
You can also take attendance from the seating chart. Tapping a student will show a popover where you can choose an attendance code for that student. You can only take attendance from the seating chart for the current date.
How can I make a new seating chart?
Tap the Assign Seats button to show the assign seats window. Enter the number of rows and columns if they are different than what is displayed. Tap the Done button. Seats will be assigned randomly.
If you want to make minor adjustments to the seating chart you can move individual students. Tap and hold on the student you want to move until the seat changes color, then tap the seat you want to move the student to. Those two seats will be swapped.
Tap and hold on an open seat to choose to make that seat hidden or unavailable.
How can I add or remove an assignment category?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the Categories tab at the top. You will see a list of categories. You can edit existing categories or weights or add a new category. Tap the Drop none field to choose how many worst scores to drop from that category.
You can choose how grades are computed by tapping one of the options below the list of categories. The default is total points earned. This method totals points earned and points possible and divides to get a percent. You can choose to compute grades using category weights. This method does a weighted average of the percent correct within each category.
How can I set up my own letter grades and percents?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the Grades tab at the top.
You can edit the letter grades and the minimum percent required to earn that grade. You can also choose to display both percents and letter grades, only percents, or only letter grades.
How can I set up my school year?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the School Year tab at the top. You will see a list of terms in your school year and their current starting and finishing dates. You can edit the names of each term. Tap a date to edit that date.
To change the number of terms in the school year, tap the button showing the number of terms in the school year.
These Frequently Asked Questions are intended to help you get started with using Gradekeeper for iPad. For a more complete introduction, you can download the User's Guide.
How can I link to my Dropbox?
In Gradekeeper for iPad, tap the Dropbox icon on the upper right in the classes view. You will be asked to enter your Dropbox email address and password to allow Gradekeeper to access its folder in your Dropbox.
Once you have linked to your Dropbox, the classes view will show the classes in the Gradekeeper folder in the Apps folder in your Dropbox. Save your classes to that folder, and you will be able to open them from Gradekeeper for iPad. Note that you cannot open Gradekeeper classes from the Dropbox app. You must open them from Gradekeeper.
Why is one of my Dropbox classes a conflicted copy?
Gradekeeper cannot merge changes made to the same class from different places at the same time. If you open the same class from different places and save it, Dropbox will notice and make a "conflicted copy" of the class. You will need to open both copies and decide which one you want to keep, or manually merge difference changes.
If you did not have the class open on another device, your iPad may be having problems with its wifi connection. Try restarting the iPad by holding down the sleep and home buttons until you see the shut down switch. Allow the iPad to complete the shut down process. Then start it up again by holding the sleep button.
Why don't my classes appear in the file list in Gradekeeper for iPad?
Gradekeeper for iPad will only list files using the .grk file extension. The desktop version of Gradekeeper adds that extension automatically. Gradekeeper for iPad can only open classes saved with the current version of Gradekeeper. If you already paid for the desktop application, you can download and install the current version at no additional cost. Just download and save. The desktop version of Gradekeeper can open files saved by older versions, so you will not need to start over.
How can I delete a class?
In Gradekeeper for iPad, from the Files view, press and hold on the row for the class you want to delete. Confirm that you really do want to delete this class. Please be careful! You cannot undo deleting a class!
How can I recover a deleted class?
If the class was saved in your Dropbox, you can restore it. Using a web browser, visit Dropbox and sign in. Open the Apps folder and then the Gradekeeper folder. Click the three dots above the file list next to the upload button. Find the deleted file in the list and click the three dots to the right of the file name. Choose Restore from the menu that appears.
How do I save my changes?
There is no save command in Gradekeeper for iPad. The app will save your changes whenever the app is suspended (when you push the home button). The app will also save your changes any time you return to the classes view.
How do I create a new class?
You can create a new class by tapping the + button in the classes view. The new class window will appear. Enter a filename, subject name, school name, and teacher name for the new class. Then tap the Done button. You will then see the students view, where you can add students to your new class.
You can also create a new class by importing a list of students from a text or csv file. To import students, upload it to your Dropbox. Put the file in the Gradekeeper folder inside the Apps folder. It will appear in the file list. Tap the file to create a new class with those students.
Each line of the text file should have an ID (which can be blank) and a student name, separated by a tab. For example:
1234 <tab> Albright, Amy
Each line of the csv file should have an optional ID and a student name in quotes. For example:
"1234","Albright, Amy"
Note that the student name is a single item. Do not separate the first and last name with a tab.
How can I create several classes with the same students?
There are several ways to do this.
In Gradekeeper for iPad, you can copy the current open class. Tap the Options tab on the bottom, then tap the Subject tab at the top. Tap the copy button in the subject view. You will be asked for a new filename for the copy of this class. The currently open class will be saved and a new class will be created that is a copy of the that class.
You can also use the text import feature to make classes with the same students. Create a text file with a list of your students. Upload that text file to your Dropbox. Open the text file from the classes view. This creates a new class with those students. Repeat this process for each additional class you want.
Can I use a third party keyboard with the iPad app?
Yes. Apps have no way of knowing whether you are using the default iOS keyboard or a third party keyboard. They just get the text you type. So any third party keyboard should work with any app, including Gradekeeper for iPad.
If you are using a third party keyboard, and it is not behaving properly, the problem is almost certainly with the keyboard, not with the app you are using. Contact the developer of the third party keyboard.
I am using a bluetooth keyboard with my iPad and the toolbar hides the tab bar to choose the view.
The toolbar showing the Next and Prev buttons usually appears at the top of the on screen keyboard. In iOS 9 there is also a toolbar with cut and paste. If you use a bluetooth keyboard, the on screen keyboard will be hidden, but these toolbars will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
When you hit the return key on the bluetooth keyboard, this should accept your editing and hide the toolbars. If this does not happen, try tapping one of the buttons in the header, like the assignment name button. You may need to tap a score to show the keyboard.
If nothing else works, try tapping the eject button on the bluetooth keyboard. This should show the on screen keyboard, allowing you to tap the Done button to end editing and hide the keyboard.
Do I have to buy the desktop application to use the iPad application?
No. You can create and edit classes with just the iPad app. The desktop application does make some things easier, and there are a few things you can do with the desktop application that you cannot do with the iPad app, like print and email reports for an entire class. Future updates to the iPad app may add some of those features as I receive feedback from users.
How can I email a student progress report?
In the students view, tap the share button on the upper left. Choose email progress report from the popover. The email window will appear, with the email addresses for that student. You can add additional email addresses. You can edit the report, including adding additional comments. Tap Send to send the email report.
You can only email progress reports for one student at a time.
How can I print a student progress report?
In the students view, tap the share button on the upper left. Choose print progress report from the popover. The Airprint popover will appear. Choose an Airprint printer. Choose the number of copies to print. And tap print.
You can only print progress reports for one student at at time.
How can I see other students, assignments, or dates?
In the students or assignments view, tap the name at the top to see a list of students or assignments. You can choose the student or assignment you want. You can also swipe left or right to see the next or previous student or assignment.
In the attendance view, tap the date to choose another date. You can also swipe left or right to see the next or previous date. Only the days of the week that class is in session are displayed.
How can I edit students or assignments?
Tap the pencil button on the upper left to edit the current student or assignment. The editing window will appear. Tap the Done button when you're done.
You can add a new student or assignment by tapping the + button on the upper left. The new student or new assignment window will appear. When adding a new student, you can tap the Next button to save the current student and add another new student.
How can I edit a score?
Tap the row for the score you want to edit. The score will be outlined. You can type in a new score. You can fill down that score to all following scores by tapping the Fill Down button on the keyboard toolbar. You can add a footnote to the score by tapping the blank space to the right of the score.
How can I take attendance?
Tap the row for a student and choose an attendance code.
If you need to change attendance for an earlier date, tap the date at the top and choose a new date.
You can also take attendance from the seating chart. Tapping a student will show a popover where you can choose an attendance code for that student. You can only take attendance from the seating chart for the current date.
How can I make a new seating chart?
Tap the Assign Seats button to show the assign seats window. Enter the number of rows and columns if they are different than what is displayed. Tap the Done button. Seats will be assigned randomly.
If you want to make minor adjustments to the seating chart you can move individual students. Tap and hold on the student you want to move until the seat changes color, then tap the seat you want to move the student to. Those two seats will be swapped.
Tap and hold on an open seat to choose to make that seat hidden or unavailable.
How can I add or remove an assignment category?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the Categories tab at the top. You will see a list of categories. You can edit existing categories or weights or add a new category. Tap the Drop none field to choose how many worst scores to drop from that category.
You can choose how grades are computed by tapping one of the options below the list of categories. The default is total points earned. This method totals points earned and points possible and divides to get a percent. You can choose to compute grades using category weights. This method does a weighted average of the percent correct within each category.
How can I set up my own letter grades and percents?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the Grades tab at the top.
You can edit the letter grades and the minimum percent required to earn that grade. You can also choose to display both percents and letter grades, only percents, or only letter grades.
How can I set up my school year?
Tap the Options tab at the bottom, then tap the School Year tab at the top. You will see a list of terms in your school year and their current starting and finishing dates. You can edit the names of each term. Tap a date to edit that date.
To change the number of terms in the school year, tap the button showing the number of terms in the school year.